Americans United for Life Calls the Death of a Young Woman After a Late-Term Abortion Procedure “a Tragic Illustration of the Need for New Legal Protections”

By Americans United for LifeMonday, February 11th, 2013

“The United States is one of the four most radical nations in the world on abortion policy,” noted AUL’s Dr. Charmaine Yoest. “The death of this young woman following an abortion reportedly at 33 weeks sadly illustrates why we need laws limiting deadly, late-term procedures.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (2/11/13) – Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest noted with sorrow reports of the death of a young woman who allegedly died after an abortion at 33 weeks in a scandal-ridden Maryland abortion clinic. “Once again, we bear witness to a tragic illustration of the need for new legal protections for women and girls,” said Dr. Yoest.

Infamous late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart is again at the center of deadly events in which a 29-year-old woman died in Maryland following a late-term abortion procedure earlier this month. While details of the case are still coming out, the Washington Post is reporting that the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Montgomery County Police Department are investigating.

“The United States is one of the four most radical nations in the world on abortion policy,” noted AUL’s Dr. Charmaine Yoest. “We stand with North Korea, China, and Canada out of 195 nations in the world that allow abortions through the 9th month, for any reason, and sometimes with tax subsidies. Most nations limit abortion after 14 weeks in part because of the dangers of such late-term procedures. The death of this young woman following an abortion reportedly at 33 weeks sadly illustrates why we need laws limiting deadly, late-term abortions.

“All states need the protections of AUL’s ‘Women’s Health Protection Act,’ which limits abortion at or after 20 weeks because of the health risks to women, as well as the implications to the unborn child. This first-in-the-nation approach recognizes that abortion can be deadly to women, and puts the health risks of abortion on the table for discussion.

“Numerous, well-documented studies in peer-reviewed medical journals, such as the Bartlett study in 2004, demonstrate that abortion poses significant medical risks for women, and that these serious medical risks increase exponentially later in pregnancy. The Bartlett study found that how far along a woman is in her pregnancy is the strongest risk factor for death. In fact, the mortality rate from abortion increases 150% after 20 weeks, from 29.5 per 100,000 to 76.6 per 100,000.

“For too long, careless abortion providers have performed dangerous, life-ending late-term abortion procedures without meaningful legal restraint or supervision. It is time to protect women, girls and the unborn from their callous profiteering.”

For more information on AUL’s model language limiting abortions at or after 20 weeks, enacted in Arizona in 2012 click here.